Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment




Vol 12, Issue 3&4,2014
Online ISSN: 1459-0263
Print ISSN: 1459-0255


Productivity and gas exchange parameters of selected pasture grasses under drought stress 


Author(s):

Anna Kocoń, Mariola Staniak *

Recieved Date: 2014-05-16, Accepted Date: 2014-09-08

Abstract:

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of water stress on productivity, leaf greenness index and gas exchange parameters of selected pasture grasses. A pot experiment was performed in a greenhouse of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute in Puławy, at two soil moisture levels: 70% (optimum moisture content) and 40% (water stress) of field water capacity to study the responses of four pasture grasses: Lolium multiflorum (Lam.), Festuca pratensis (L.), Festulolium braunii ((K. Richt.) A. Camus) and Dactylis glomerata (L.) to water stress. The study showed that water stress caused a significant reduction of yield of all tested grasses. The greatest decrease in the yield of dry matter was observed in L. multiflorum, while the lowest one was found in D. glomerata. Among the studied species of grasses, a higher resistance to stress was recorded for the D. glomerata and F. braunii (drought susceptibility index (DSI) < 1.0). The water content in the soil modified the relative level of chlorophyll in the leaves of tested grasses. Under the conditions of soil drought, greenness index in all species of grasses was higher on average by 19% compared to control objects. The lowest value of greenness index was found in the F. pratensis. Under water stress conditions, all studied species were characterized by lower net photosynthesis (PN) and transpiration (E) rate as compared to control. The mean values of water-use efficiency (WUE) were statistically higher under stress conditions in D. glomerata and F. pratensis than in L. multiflorum and F. braunii.

Keywords:

Grasses, drought stress, dry matter yield, net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, drought susceptibility index, leaf greenness index, water use efficiency


Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 131-135


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